CCLEC – Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council – International Customs Organization

Capacity Building

Continually strengthening our human and physical capital through strategic planning and sustained training.

Information Technology

Realizing the vision of a highly networked Customs through the implementation of modern ICT solutions.

Border Protection

Promoting compliance to enhance global trade and travel through enhanced border security initiatives

Trade Facilitation

Facilitating fairness and transparency through systematic and standardized controls.

Feb132023

Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) Graduation Ceremony for New Recruits –January 27th, 2023

Training, UncategorizedBy Elvira Samuel February 13, 2023

Graduates of Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service

The CBC has successfully delivered training to twenty four new officers using a combination of online training and instructor-led training. The CCLEC online Junior Officer Basic course formed an integral part of the training program which provided new recruits with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties as officers within the CBC. The CCLEC JOB course consists of twenty-one modules which covers the full range of customs operations and was a critical element in the transformation process towards establishing the CBC with its multi-agency functions.

Jan262023

International Customs Day 2023

UncategorizedBy Aaron Smith January 26, 2023

In observance of International Customs Day, the WCO’s theme for 2023 is “Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs.” This theme is very relevant to the Customs fraternity in the region and the CCLEC is committed to working with member administrations to build capacity in keeping with this goal.

Customs is a complex organisation with multi-facetted functions and responsibilities that are often misunderstood and underestimated even by business leaders, government officials, and the general public. Most people tend to focus on the revenue collection role, which invokes emotional responses from those who are required to pay border taxes on importation. In this region, customs duties are relatively high compared to more developed and emerging countries, and in some instances represent over 50% of the annual revenue yield in some of our smaller economies. Governments have become very reliant on Customs and VAT for financing a major part of annual budgets. Notwithstanding the above, it is important to point out that the mission of Customs in today’s context includes a fiscal element (revenue collection) an economic element (implementing government policies), and a protection and security element (law enforcement and compliance). All three aspects are intrinsically linked to international trade. [1]

Those charged to perform the duties of a Customs officer must be well trained, knowledgeable of various legislation, regulations, directives, and administrative instructions. They must also be equipped with the necessary tools to effectively and efficiently carry out those duties.

Jan122023

Message from the Permanent Secretary

NewsBy Amory Frederick January 12, 2023

I wish to take this opportunity to extend greetings to all member administrations as we usher in the New Year. 2023 will be a pivotal year for the Caribbean Customs community as we work together to restore our position on the regional landscape particularly in law enforcement, contributing to border security, efficiency in trade matters and effective revenue protection and collection.

Our number priority is to complete the transition from CCLEC to the Caribbean Customs Organisation (CCO) by finalizing the ratification process for the new CCO Treaty within the respective member countries. This will be an immediate boost to the image of this organisation and will certainty help with the realignment of our strategic goals and determining a new direction based on membership needs and priorities.

Customs Administrations are essential to fulfill the mandates of their respective governments by working with other agencies on the national front. There is an increasing awareness of the urgency to cooperate on a regional basis through engagement with established institutions involved in trade and related matters. The success of our region is heavily dependent on engendering a cooperative ethos within a regional space pregnant with new opportunities and possibilities for collaboration. The current environment of fierce competition for limited resources and overlapping agendas must be replaced by a recognition of the respective areas of competence and strengths and a genuine effort to work together by forging better relationships between customs administrations, the business communities and other regional partner organisations.

Jan262022

International Customs Day 2022

NewsBy Albert Sandy January 26, 2022

Congratulations to the Customs fraternity on this special day which has been designated as International Customs Day by the WCO. This year the chosen theme, “Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem,” is very fitting as the pandemic has acted as a most powerful catalyst to force many countries to accept technology as a fundamental part of their business culture.
Digitization of all Customs procedures is the way forward and a strategy to exploit all data is critical to assist with decision making. Today every Customs administration has an automated system that facilitates online submission of cargo and passenger information and declaration processing. However, to maximize collected data usage, Customs must use technological solutions to enhance its effectiveness to ensure compliance. Therefore, Customs must quickly develop or adopt existing analytical tools and enhance departmental, human resource capacity to assist with the daily, functional usage of data in all border-related activities.

Oct12021

UWI Open Campus Delivers Train-the-trainer training

Featured, NewsBy Amory Frederick October 1, 2021

In the interest of building capacity, the CCLEC has commenced a train-the-trainer program, in collaboration with UWI Open Campus to develop the training skills of a cadre of regional officers. The main objective of the program is to equip officers with pedagogic skills to become professional trainers within their departments. They will also serve as trainers for delivering CCLEC online courses among member countries. The acquisition of skill, knowledge, and expertise provides the basis for the efficient and effective management of the operations of any organization. With limited resources to hire external experts, it is especially significant for small developing countries to develop their skills and become less reliant on external support.

Forty-one officers from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St Vincent, St. Kitts/Nevis, and the Turks & Caicos Islands benefited from the training.

Jun112021

CCLEC Pressed ahead with its 43rd Conference Despite the Pandemic

MeetingsBy Amory Frederick June 11, 2021

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) celebrated its Forty Third Annual Conference via video conferencing during the period June 2^nd – 3^rd 2021.

Representatives of twenty-seven (27) member countries as well as a number of regional and international observers attended the sessions. Strategic partners included representatives of the World Customs Organization, the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), Interpol, CDEMA, CDB, CICAD/OAS, Grenada Tourism Authority, Caribbean Law Enforcement Foundation (CLEF), Crime Stoppers, ICE and the Caribbean Brokers Association.

The Conference was preceded by a keynote address by Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). In his address, the Secretary General emphasized WCO’s commitment to the region under the Small Island Economies initiative. He also announced the development of two new guidelines which will be beneficial to the region – a global data standard for cruise ships and a compendium of best practices in the cruise ship environment and guidelines on Disaster Management and Supply Chain Continuity. (WCO Secretary General speech)

Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on the global economies and the challenges facing Customs administrations to manage the borders during a pandemic, Council invited regional and international partners, to present on topics that were both informative and relevant to the current reality.

Apr152021

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Volcanic Eruption : Message from Customs Comptroller

NewsBy Amory Frederick April 15, 2021

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the La Soufriere volcano is located at the northern side on the island. After effusively erupting since December, 2020, it explosively erupted on 9^th April, 2021 and continues to erupt explosively emanating clouds of ash throughout the island. It also generated pyroclastic density currents along the north western and north eastern valleys of the island. Thankfully, there has been no confirmed loss of lives. Nevertheless, it has left the island gloomy and desolate in some areas.

As a consequence of the disaster, the water catchment area has been compromised, adversely affecting the limited water supply. Six (6) members of the Customs and Excise staff have been displaced from their homes and are accommodated either at guest houses or with family members and friends. Members of staff are coping well despite being emotionally distressed. The airspace has been closed but the seaports are open in particular for humanitarian aid and normal business.

We are extremely grateful to the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) and our fellow Customs and Excise Divisions and Customs Sports Association across the Caribbean as well as other regional bodies for the expressed love, kindness and support during this difficult period.

Nov242020

CCLEC 42ND CONFERENCE (VIRTUAL)

MeetingsBy Amory Frederick November 24, 2020

The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted face-to-face meetings and training globally and CCLEC, like many organizations, has had to adapt to this new environment. This year a shortened version of the CCLEC annual conference was held via video conferencing from November 4^th – 6^th 2020, primarily to discuss the organization’s work program and finances. Attendance was restricted to member administrations. A total of twenty-nine member countries from the English and Spanish Caribbean region, France, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK participated in the meeting.

CCLEC continues to foster collaboration with law enforcement agencies and at this meeting Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Acting Director of IMPACS, and Mr Michel Nice, INCB Manager of Project OPIOIDS, were invited to make presentations on cooperation in respect of enforcement.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, presented on IMPACS’ current work program, including a new initiative to strengthen the digital partnership between CCLEC and CARICOM IMPACS. One of the main objectives of this initiative is to operationalize the MOU between CARICOM IMPACS and CCLEC through the sharing of SailClear data. The project will expand access to APIS throughout the fifteen (15) CARICOM members states and enhance the processing of the SailClear API through stronger strategic and digital partnership with CCLEC.

SailClear provides border agencies with an administrative tool to assist with border security whilst facilitating the processing of yachts. A lack of security for visitors to our shores, could have serious impacts on the regional tourism industry and general economies. CCLEC therefore fully endorses collaboration with CARICOM IMPACS to secure the region’s borders.

An MOU with the UNODC/INCB to facilitate the sharing of intelligence on the sources and identity of dangerous substances and training for the region was also approved by Council.

Jul162020

PS CCLEC Statement on the Slaying of Nigel Christian – Antiguan Customs and Excise Officer 10th July 2020

NewsBy Amory Frederick July 16, 2020

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council laments the abduction July 10^th 2020 and subsequent slaying of Antiguan Customs and Excise Officer Nigel Christian. The brazen and brutal manner of his abduction and killing has left the Antiguan, Caribbean and International Customs community in shock.

We unitedly condemn his slaying and are confident that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and its National Security establishment will employ all professional means, leaving no stone unturned, in exposing the perpetrators, their motive for this act in order to bring those responsible to justice.

This shows the level of risks that Customs, Police and other public officers are exposed to in serving the state and the public. Officers are encouraged to continue performing their duties fairly, with integrity, without favour or fear for the welfare of their nation.

We express our deepest condolences and pray for the consolation of his immediate family, relatives and Customs colleagues.

Jun222020